Our Newest employee: (we believe in starting them young...)

Stevie
Born 6/30/2006 8 lbs 1 oz 19 inches

How We Started!!

Larry Orchids is a prime example of a hobby outgrowing itself. In 1986, Our oldest son Larry Jr. purchased a Dendrobium at a local building supply store. When it was finished blooming, instead of throwing it away, he gave it to me and said, oue the Biologist get it to bloom again I did get it to re-bloom and thus my Orchid hobby began. I now have a personal collection of over 400 specimen plants from many genera. As a member of both the American Orchid Society and the Michigan Orchid Society I became aware of the number of people in the Orchid hobby. When my personal collection began to outgrow my bench space I sold my doubles on eBay. Surfing the Net I realized this was the easy way to buy different orchids to increase my collection and sell my overstock.

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As We Progressed....

We are now an Online Nursery and have three growing locations One for my personal collection and two for Larry Orchids eBay Auction and eBay Store. We grow under glass, lights and during the summer months shade houses. We import flasks, compots, plugs, seedlings and mature plants from the Philippines, Canada, Mexico, South America and Hawaii. We deflask, repot, and grow the seedlings along with holding the larger plants until they are put up for Auction and/or are stocked on the eBay Store shelves.

Prof. Lawrence Smith, Sr. Founder and Owner of Larry's Orchids & Tropicals

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Summer 2004....

After 40 years as a Biology Professor I found my Orchid Hobby turned Orchid Business was crowding out my full-time teaching. As I like to teach, Ie reached a compromise. I retired from the College as the Senior Staff Biologist and now teach Orchid 101 (a 6 week class meeting once a week for an hour and a half.) As too the Orchid business, it has also taken a different direction besides getting much bigger.

We have begun to market Better-Grow Products and have had to purchase an additional 10 x 20 foot shade house.

We are now just beginning to market Tropical Plant Seeds and Seedlings. These Tropical Plants, for the most part, coexist with the Orchids and produce very different flowers and in some cases fruit.

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2005 Summer Additions....

Entering the Orchid Show Circuit this fall has caused us to purchase a new Hallmark Utility Trailer and have the interior modified for the transport of plant trays and or supplies and exterior lettered. To pull the new trailer we have also purchased a new Chevy ton pick-up with a crew cab and a locking cover on the bed.

We have entered into a agreement with Christopher at Purple Clay Imports and are now actively marketing their hand thrown clay products. With the help of Purple Clays Webmaster, Peter, we have taken our auctions and eBay store to a new level, with more graphics and links producing enriched and interactive eBay ad copies.

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2006 Spring Additions....

In 2006 we are greatly expanding our Seed and Plant sales of Companion Tropical Plants (Plumeria, Protea etc) and have added our warehouse space and thus our Orchid Supply sales. Adding additional Purple Clay Pots selections along with the growing mediums, plant foods and wire supplies is now finding us working the Orchid Shows as Vendors in Michigan, Ohio & Indiana. We have just opened our new eBay Orchid Supply Store of Canada and the up-grading our web page.

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2006 Summer Update....

Sales have gone through the roof, thus we have had to make a few changes:

Orchids

We are purchasing more plugs and fewer compots and flasks, and extending sources for rare and unusual orchids. In July will begin to market Orchid Flasks both for species and hybrids. We now deal with over 25 vendors to supply orchids and other plants.

Tropical Plants

We have been very successful with Patio Citrus trees and tropical fruits such as bananas and pineapples. We now stock eBay largest selection of patio sized citrus plants and seeds. We are working on expansion of indoor palms and fern selections, and we are about to add MANY additional flowering tropicals.

Orchid Shows as a vendor/h2> First season very successful, and working out dates and locations for Fall 2006 season and the entire 2007 season.

Buying Trips 2006

South America, Mexico, Central America, Florida, Georgia, the Carolinas and Chicago area. Planning for 2007 trips to London Kew Gardens, Hawaii and once again Central and South America.

eBay Conventions

We were unable to attend eBay Convention in Las Vegas - Orchid Show that week , but will be attending the 2007 convention in Boston.

Growing Supplies

We have more than doubled our line of growing supplies, and now deal with over 17 vendors to stock our supply inventory. Growing supplies now make up 45% of our eBay business and 35% of our show sales.

Purple Clay Pots

Awaiting arrival of new line of mini pots from Purple Clay Imports in Chicago. This area of sales is now making up 55% of Show sales, and 10% of eBay sales.

Seeds

Have increased varieties of South African Protea seeds, which are proving to be very popular. Addition of new tropical seed varieties, and over 14 types of citrus seeds.

Warehouse

Due to increased sales we have had to triple our warehouse space. Our newest facility has two overhead doors allowing one for loading dock shipping/receiving, and a second for storage and loading of our Show/Vendor Trailer. Can now store trailer inside facility loaded for next show. New shelving system installed, allowing removal of some of the pallet areas. In the process of installing inventory management software.

Offices

Addition of 2 additional phone lines, bringing us to 4, and a new phone system allowing a separate fax line. New cell phone network for all employees. Completely new computer network allowing all 5 computers to share one database and the new high speed invoice printer. New accounting software is currently being installed. New computer invoicing software and postage system linked to USPS and UPS allowing all boxes to be picked up at our shipping point by USPS/UPS, with postage already paid for and with delivery confirmation and label attached.

Scary how a part-time hobby can grow isn it??????

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How to Contact Us

For questions about the growing culture of plants (the big cheese himself):
Larry@LarrysOrchids.com

For general eBay questions:
USA: eBayUSA@LarrysOrchids.com
Canada: eBayCanada@LarrysOrchids.com

For auction ad content, pictures, bad or missing links and feedback issues:
WebMaster@LarrysOrchids.com

For PayPal Payments:
PayPal@LarrysOrchids.com

For combining of invoices, copies of invoices and any accounting issues:
Accounting@LarrysOrchids.com

For Delivery Confirmations, and all other Shipping Issues:
Shipping@LarrysOrchids.com

Or just call us:
(586)648-8290

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Orchid Society Links

Michigan Orchid Society

ATTENTION: MICHIGAN ORCHID SOCIETY MEMBERS

20% DISCOUNT on all plants and supplies in our eBay Store
with delivery to the next regular MOS meeting. Advertised S&H rates
if mailed to your address in the Member Directory. No Pick-ups.
Your name must appear in the current Member Directory to receive
the discount. Make checks payable to Larry Orchids. No phone orders.
Email order to: Larry@LarrysOrchids.com with MOS Order as the subject line.
See you at the next meeting.

OTHER MICHIGAN ORCHID SOCIETIES:

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Other Orchid Resources

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WE PROUDLY SELL THE FOLLOWING PRODUCTS:

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